Embalming or laying-out table



(No Model.) 2 Shets-Sheet 1.

P. J. DOHERTY. EMBALMING OR LAYING-OUT TABLE. I No. 488,146. Patented Oct. 14, 1-890.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. J. DOHERTY. BMBALMING 0R LAYING-OUT TABLE.

Patented Oct. 14, 1890.

7 UNITED STATES PATENT VFFICE.

PATRICK J. DOHERTY, OF CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS.

EMBALMING OR LAYlNG-OUTTABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 438,146, dated October 14, 1890.

' Application filed December 13, 1889- Serial No. 333,639. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK J. DOHERTY, of Chelsea, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Embalming or Laying-Out Tables, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to improve embalming or laying-out tables,the said table, 1n accordance with my invention,being adapted to be used not only as an embalming but as a laying-out table.

In accordance with my invention, the main base or frame-work, having, preferably, a reticulated bottom composed of wire, has foot and body extensions adapted to be moved longitudinally toward and from the center of the base in the direction of its length, the said extensions having combined with them means whereby they may be held in any desired adjusted position. The body-extension is provided, as herein shown, with an independently-movable head-rest, it being adapted to he slid longitudinally, so that the head will always rest at the top of the body-section. The body-extension is provided with supports by which it may be maintained in any angular position desired With relation to the base or frame-work. I have shown the legs as adapted to be folded up within the frame-work.

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of an embalming or laying-out table embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same with the foot and body sections pushed into the frame-work and legs closed. Fig. 4 is a detail to be referred to; and Figs. 5 and 6 are details to be referred to, Fig. 6 showing a modification.

The table herein to be described consists, essentially,of a rigid rectangular base or frame composed of two parallel side pieces 0., end pieces a and a bottom a the said bottom being composed, preferably, of wire-cloth or equivalent reticulated material, the said bottom being joined at its ends in suitable manner, as by solder or otherwise, to the end pieces a and preferably the bottom will be supported between the ends a by suitable cross-rods a, only one of which is herein shown.

The table is supported upon suitable legs, as b, the legs at opposite sides being connected by suitable rounds, as I), each leg being herein represented as connected between its upper and lower ends to the side frames a, by toggle-jointed links b 12 the said links enabling the said legs to be folded up within the frame and close to the side pieces, as represented by dotted lines in Fig. 3, in order that the table may be brought into most compact form when it is to be carried from one to another place.

The end pieces a near the center of their length have holes for the reception of the steadying-rods c d, like fastening devices 0 shown as screws, (see Fig. 1,) screwed into the end pieces, serving to hold the said rods 0 cl in adjusted position. The rod 0 at its inner end has a cross-rod 0 which serves as a pivot for the side pieces 0 of the footsupport, the said side pieces being connected by a suitable cross-bar 0 forming, preferably, a part thereof, the foot-support having a reticulated or wire-cloth bottom 0 The rod (2 at its inner end has a cross-rod d, to which is jointed the U -shapedbody-support, composed, essentially, of parallel arms (1 a cross-bar 01 and a reticulated bottom d preferably of wire-cloth.

The side pieces a are provided with suitable grooves or slots a to receive in like manner the ends 20 21 (see Figs. 1 and 5)' of the rods 0 and d and act as guides for the footsupport and body-support in their longitudinal movements, the said projections or equivalents acting, as desired, to prevent the withdrawal of the said supports beyond the points shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the grooves a, in such case extending .but for a short distance from the center of the frame toward its ends. The

ends of the cross-rod c or 01 may be extended IOO fer a groove (1 rather than a slot clear through the side piece, as in Fig. 6.

If desired, I may employ the nut 23 rather than the screws to hold the parts in adjusted position longitudinally.

The body-support has pivoted to its side pieces d suitable legs, as e, having notches, which notches engage the end piece a when the bottom support is elevated at its outer end, the said body-support being so elevated according to the position desired for the subject, the inclination being more or less. The opposite legs are connected by a suitable round or rod at 2, so that they may be moved together.

A subject not more than six feet in length may be properly treated on drawing the foot and body supports half-way out, or substantially as represented in Fig. l of the drawings; but in case the subjectis more than six feet in length then I have provided the body-support with a longitudinally-movable headsupport consisting, essentially, of side bars f, a cross-bar f, and a bottom composed, preferably, of reticulated wire.

I have shown the inner ends of the side barsf as connected by a round f and to prevent the head-rest from being drawn out too far I have cut a groove 4 in the outer side of each side barf, as represented by dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3, and I have provided each of the side bars d at its inner side with two projections, on which the bars f slide to enter said groove, and I have provided one of the bars with a screw d to secure the head-rest in adjusted position. The ends of rod f in the groove 4.- by striking one of the stops 5 prevent the withdrawal of the head-rest fully from the body-rest. fully pushed in.

I claim- 1. In an embalming-table, a base or frame Fig. 3 shows the parts having a reticulated bottom, combined with a foot-rest composed of side and end pieces and having a reticulated bottom longitudinally adjustable on said frame, substantially as described.

2. The base or frame having a reticulated bottom and recessed. side pieces, combined with a longitudinally-adjustable body-rest and a cross-rod to which said rest is pivoted, the ends of said rod being received in and guided by said recessed side pieces, substantially as described.

3. The base or framea a combined with a longitudinally-adjustable body-rest and a longitudinally-adjustable foot-rest, each rest being adjustable independent of the frame or the other rest, and with means to hold the same in adjusted position, substantially as described.

4. The base or frame and the longitudinally-adjustable body-rest, combined with a head-rest longitudinally adjustable on the said body-rest, substantially as described.

5. The base or frame composed of end and side pieces, combined with an extension-rest, a guide-rod to which the extension-rest is pivoted, and with means to hold the said guiderod in place, substantially as described.

6. The base or frame composed of end and side pieces having legs or projections to enter grooves in the side pieces, combined with an extension-rest, a guide-rod to which the extension-rest is pivoted, and with means to hold the said guide-rod in place,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PATRICK J. DOHERTY.

Witnesses:

Gno. W. GREGORY, E. J. BENNETT. 

